Here is a little information about the Japanese budo or martial ways.
Aikido
Aikido is a powerful system of self-defense employing techniques based upon circular motions that blend with the energy of your opponent. Men, women and children can equally benefit from this martial art. Aikido promotes body flexibility, self-confidence and peaceful management of conflicts.
O’Sensei Morihei UeshibaAikido is a modern non-violent, non-aggressive Japanese martial art that was developed early in this century by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969). In Japanese, Aikido means “the Way of Harmony with the Force and Principle of Nature”. Aikido is derived from Japan’s traditional Budo (the Way of martial arts), yet goes beyond the realm of Budo; it is a path on which the keen edge of martial art is used as a “Way” to spiritual growth.
Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido, studied many traditional Japanese martial arts, including ju-jitsu and the art of sword. He joined the imperial army and fought in the Russian-Japanese war of 1905-6. This first taste of war along with other experiences during the two world wars, strengthened his opposition to the use of martial arts for destructive purposes. Having opened his own Dojo in 1930, Ueshiba began his search for the true meaning of Budo as a path for man’s spiritual growth. In 1942, Aikido was officially recognised as Ueshiba’s martial art. Until his death, at the age of 86, O’Sensei, as he came to be known, continued training and teaching his students and saw Aikido spread throughout the world.
Iaido
Muso Shinden Ryu
[This text has been taken from the Kensei kensan kai website at this page]
Muso Shinden-ryu is a Iaido koryu, and can be considered to have been branched off from the Shimomura-ha branch of the Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu tradition, by Nakayama Hakudo (1869-1958). Nakayama was together with the founder of Aikido, Ueshiba Morihei, one of the greatest Budoka of the 20th century. He was a master of Kendo, Iaido, and Jodo, which he also professionally taught. According to a reliable but unconfirmed source, Nakayama originally belonged to the Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaido tradition, and studied under a grandmaster from Shikoku.
As was common in earlier days there were conditons to be met in order for Nakayama to be accepted into training; the grandmaster required that Nakayama neither show, nor teach, anybody the techniques he would learn. This contract was sealed with Nakayama’s own blood (so called Keppan). Later Nakayama circumvented this contract by creating his own Ryuha containing techniques that were similar, but just a little different than those he had been taught.
Thus, the Muso Shinden-ryu was brought into being. It was presented for the first time at the 1933 Kyoto-taikai, and rapidly gained popularity. It is today maybe the largest Iaido koryu practised in the world, with one source estimating that 45% of the worlds Iaido-ka currently practises the ryu. After Nakayama’s passing his students merged Nakayama’s techniques with the Omori-ryu and Hasegawa Eishin-ryu traditions, and made what the Muso Shinden-ryu is today. The original name was “Muso Shinden Ryu Batto Jutsu”, but was changed and the name “Muso Shinden-ryu” was adopted in 1955. As for the Shimomura-ha branch of the Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu; since Nakayama was appointed its 20th grandmaster it has faded into oblivion. Apparently for natural reasons as Nakayama furthered the Muso Shinden-ryu.
Due to these events, some people consider the Muso Shinden-ryu as not being a “true” koryu, mainly because it had been created during the 20th century. Nothing could be further from the truth. Nakayama only did what many a grandmaster before him had done; mastering the teachings of the ryuha, and then taking them to the next level. Thus the creation of the Muso Shinden-ryu by Nakayama Hakudo constitutes a major achievement of the 20th century. For remember, Iaido has never been a static entity, where later generations only work preserve the ways of the past. This would only have led to stagnation. Iaido-practise entails the life-long research into the self, and the kabala of the ryuha’s kata, which have been done and developed continuously since its inception by the master swordmen of every generation.
The Muso Shinden-ryu Iaido tradition consists of 44 Iaido forms, or Kata, divided into 3 groups; Shoden, Chuden, and Okuden.
Muso Shinden Ryu – Shoden
The word “Shoden” can be translated as the “entry-transmission”, and was derived from the Omori-ryu Iaido. Omori-ryu was said to have been created by Hayashi Rokudayu Morimasa, the ninth headmaster of the Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu, who lived from 1661 until 1732. It has been included in the Muso Shinden Ryu at the entry level.
Muso Shinden Ryu – Chuden
The word “Chuden” can be translated as the “middle-transmission”, and was derived from the Hasegawa Eishin-ryu Iaido. Originally created in the seventeenth century by Hasegawa Chikaranosuke Eishin (Hidenobu), who was the seventh undisputed headmaster of the Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu. Hasegawa Eishin-ryu has been included in the Muso Shinden-ryu at the middle level.
Muso Shinden Ryu – Okuden
The word “Okuden” can be translated as the “inner-transmission”. Nakayama’s Oku-iai is divided into two groups, Suwari-waza, and Tachi-waza; sitting and standing techniques.